Truck turntable and gravel spreader



APPLICATION FILED JUNE H. 1921.

Q 2 W,w .0 mm... WM f mm 2m l m \2. 5 M a P E. A.; DENNIS. TRUCK TURNTABLE AND GRAVEL SPREADER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE II, I92I.

Patented A r. 11, 1922;

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD a DENNIS,

or "sPENcEE, IOWA.

, 'nwcx TURNTABLE AND GRAVEL sPEElinfitf" Application filed'J'une 11,

To aZZw/wm it may concern:

Be it "known that I, EDWARD A. DEivNIs, a citizen of the United States, and a resldent of Spencer, in the county of Clay and State of Iowa, have invented a certain new and useful Truck Turntable and Gravel Spreader, of which the following is a specification.

The object .of my invention is to provide a device especially adapted for road making, whereby a truck or vehicle of gravel may be'turned around, permitted to dump its contents, and the contents, which are ordin' arily gravel, spread out overthe road, the. machine being of comparatively inexpensive construction, substantial andeasily operated.

More particularly, my invention relates to a machinemounted on wheels-capable of turning a vehicle substantially 180 for permitting the contents ofthe vehicle to be dumped onto the road just, rearwardly of the turn table device, and a spreader device arranged on said machine justrearwardly of .the dumped material, which will cause the dumped material to be spread out over the road with the forward advance of the entire machine. I p

Still another object is to provide a runway'for a deviceof the class just mentioned, which runway may be folded and swung to position, where it will rest upon the machine, when the machine is moved from place to place.

Still another object is to provide a, spreader device arranged to spread the material over the road, the spreader being capable of adjustment for working roads of various widths and also capable of being arranged for giving a c,rowneffect to the road. I I

Still another object is to provide shoe or runner members on the forwardends of the runway. so that the entire machine may-be moved forwardly a short distance at atlme,

without raising the runway.

The dumping of the gravel on the road either necessitates the next truck delivering .gravel to pass the "piles of gravel just dumped, or else to turn around and go back: over the same road over which it came.

It may be mentioned that ordinary country roads are usually of insuflicient width to permit the easy turning around of a large truck; -The turning around of the truck on the narrow road, causes the edge to be un- Specification of Letters Patent.

, and illustrated turn line

v Patented 41161311, 1922. 1921. Serial No. 476,836.

necessarily broken up, which is a result not des red. The turning of the vehicle around oncoming truck with gravel.

My machine is designed to easily rotate the truck 180, so that after the material is dumped therefrom, it is headed in the direction from which it came.

over the piles of gravel or to turn around under its own power in a narrow road.

My machine also eliminates sary delay of the oncoming tracks by making it possible to easily andquicklyturn the truck undeemler independent of the truck.

My machine is designed to spread the gravel or other-contents dumped on the road, as the entire machine is moved-forwardly over the road to be graveled or'worked.

It will therefore be seen that it is essential that the portionof the machine rearwardly of the turn table device and forso that the contents of the truckmay be entire machine is moved forwardly, from tlme to time.

With these and'other objects inv view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my device, whereby the objects con p This means. "that 1t is not necessary for the truck to pass the. unnecesdumped onto'the road and spread, as the templated are attained, as hereinafter more I fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, 1n theaccompanying drawings, 1n which: i

- .Figure 1- is a top plan view of my device.

igure 2 is a side elevation of the same. Figurei -is a view taken on. the line 3-3 of Figure 2, showing the under side of the table device and the arrangementof the gearing for rotating the same.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the 4--4 of igure '3, showing the gearing arrangement.

igure'5 is a sectional view'taken on tle line 5-5 of Figure 1-, showing the various positions of the runway when folded by dot' ted lines. I

-Fig 1re 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure '7 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the rear end of the machine, showing a portion of. the drive mechanism for rotating the turntable device.

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the same. Figure 9 is a'detailed, sectional view taken the purpose of which will be hereafter more fully set forth.

rollers supporting the turn table device; and

Figure 10 is a detailed, side elevation of I the spreader device. 4 y

In the accompanying drawings, I have used the reference numeral 10 to indicate generally a rectangular frame, Which issupf ported by drive wheels 11 and steerable pair of'short cross pieces 39.

wheels 12.

The frame 10 is divided into two sections A and B. The section B is provided with an auxiliary frame 13, upon which is mounted an. engine 14, having a drive shaft 15 thereon operatively connected to a rear axle 16 mounted in the axle housing 17. The ends of the rear axle 16 are provid'ed with gears,

18, whichare'in mesh with large gears 19,

which are fixed to the drive jvheels 11.-

From the construction of the parts just described, it will be seen that the engine'14 supplies power for moving'the entire ma-' chine forwardly..

It will be noted that the engine 14 is mounted rearwardly of the drive wheels 11,

The engine 14 is of the ordinary struction and the ordinary clutch mechanismand clutch pedals are used for manipulata ing the engine The crank shaft of the engine 14 has fixed to its forward end a drive pulley wheel 20, the purpose of which .will

. engine.

be hereafter more 'fully set forth.

The drive pulley wheel 20 is provided with a hub having notches '21 therein, whereby a crank 22 maybe used for starting the The steerable wheels 12 are connected to a steering shaft 23, which is supported on the frame 10 by means of bearing members 24. The steering'shaft 23 is provided with j a universal joint 25 and a steering wheel 26.

A turn table device C is rotatably mounted on the portion B of the frame 10.

The construction and arrangement of the turn table device will nowbe fully described. The turn table device C consists ofa floormember 27, which has a pair of angle irons or the like 28 secured thereto, which will form a guide, for the vehicle to be upon theturn table device. A pair 0 cross bars 29 are extended between the sides-of the frame 10for supporting roller members 30. i A metallic ring 31 is secured to the. floor member 27 on its underside, which metallic ring is'supported on the rollers 30 for per mitting thev entire turn table deviceto' easily rotate.

The frame 10 is also provided with roller members 30 which support the entireturntable device C, The turn table device is proof the runways D two track members 52. The members 52 of laced -E of'lthe runway and directly 'below. the

29 as clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4 of gear36 ismounted on the shaft 32, which gear is in .mesh with a'small gear 37 on the shaft 38; The shaft 38 is mounted in a A worm wheel 40 is secured to the shaft 38, and is in mesh with a worm 41. The

worm 41 is secured to the shaft 42. Bearing members 43 are secured to' one of the cross pieces 35] and one of the cross bars 29 for supporting the shaft 42. The shaft 42 extends rearwardly and directly below one of the sides 'oftheframe member 11 and projects rearwardly beyond the rear edge of theframe. 10. a a

A pulley wheel 44 is secured to the shaft '42, which pulley wheel is substantially in line with the pulley'wheel 20 .on the crank shaft of the automobile.

A -belt 45 is used for connecting the pulley wheel 20 with the pulley wheel 44.

. It will be understood that it'is desirable only to. rotate the turntable at intervals,

and, in order to'cause the shaft 42-to rotate at intervals, I-provide a clutch-mechanism of the following description. I,

An idler pulleywheel 45 15 secured to a link 47 pivoted on the frame 10; A rod 48 is connectedto the upper end of the link 47 and has its, free end pivotally connected to a foot lever 49. 1 f s From the construction of the parts just described, it will be seen'thatinovihgthe foot lever in the direction indicated by the arrow 50 will cause the belt 45 t'o-tightly engage the pulley wheels 20 and 44, thus causing the shaft 42 to be rotated, which in turn will rotate the entire turn table. '0. y

In order to permit trucks orvehicles to pass onto the turn table device C, I provide, runways, which'are composed of two sections D and Thesections D' and E are hinged together. by means of the hinges 51 at "their adjacent ends. Each ofthe sections and E are composed of the section B are connected together by cross pieces 52;

The free end of thesection D of the runway, which rests upon the ground is. provided with shoes or runners 53', so that when the entire machine ismoved forwardly 'or in the direction indicated by the arrow 54. it .will pass over the road. --Fixed to the'forward end of the section hinges 51, are theshoes 55, which support the center portion of the runway. vided with a main verticalshaft '32, which is journaled in a pair of cross bars 33a-nd 34.

The cross bar 33 is fixed to the cross bar's Mounted on the forward end of the main frame 10 are a pair of bearing members 56. The bearing-members 56 are arranged, so

52 together for hblding them 'in spread the gravel over the road, I provide a' The blades 62 are is then headed .dumped onto to the mainiportion .of the arms 57. 10

ing members 56, Reinforcing cross rods 59 are designed to. secure each of the members proper spaced relationship to each other.

It will be understood that when it is desired to move the entire machine from place to place, the runway may be folded by first folding the section D and causing it to rest uponthe section 'E, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 5 of the drawings.

Both sections D and E upon the turn table The angle irons 28, which serve as guide members are so'ar-ranged that the runways will be received therebetween.

The arrangement o'fthe bearing member 56, so that it projects .above the upper end of the runway E, permits the folding and swinging ofthe runway to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 5 of the drawings.

.lVhen the trucks pass up the runways and onto the turn table, they are traveling in the direction indicated-by the arrow 60. Blocks may be placed just ahead of the front wheels of the truck for preventing them from passing beyond the turn table device.

The turn table is then rota-ted through an angle of 180? in which position the truck in the direction of the arrow 61. Blocksare then placed behind the rear wheels of the truck.

The body of the truck is then raised and the contents dumped between the drive wheels 11 and the auxiliary frame 13. This portion of the entire machine is left open, so that the gravel from the trucks maybe the road.

The trucks having been rotated are'then free to pass down the runway without the necessity of having them turn around in the road under their own motive power.

It will be understood that after each truck load has been dumped, it is highly desirable to advance my entire machine forwardly a slight distance, so;that the gravel maybe equally spread over the road. In order to spreader device F, which consists of a pair of spreader blades 62, which are hinged together at their forward and inner ends.

wardly and outwardly, as clearly shown in Figure 1 of the drawings;

beyond the up- I Y 62, together,

' wardly from the The spindles58 are received in the bearmay then be swung. over the spindles 58, serving as a'pivot, until both sections rest .bers 73 may be moved normally inclined rear- A rod 63 serves as thepintle for connect-' ing the inner ends of the blade members which. rod has itsupper end formed with an eye 64. A cross bar 65 is fixed to the .auxiliaryfraine '13 directl above the rear forward ends of the blades A reinforcing support 66 extends downcross bar 65-and is secured to the eye 64,'so as to permit a slight pivotal .movement of the parts.

It will be understood that it is highly desirable to raise and lower the outer ends. of

the blades or spreader-62, for forming a crown effect to the road. T In order to raise and lower the blades 62,1 provide notched sectors 67, which are fixed to the auxiliary frame 13 and have the levers 68 pivoted thereto. The levers 68' have their forward ends pivotally connected to' links 69., The links 69 have their free ends secured to the blades 62. spring actuated pawl member 7 O is provided on the levers 68,- whereby the blades 62 ,may be raised .or lowered and locked in position. I In order to hold the outer ends ofthe blades 62 against any inward movement, I provide a yoke device 71, which has the blades 62 received therebetween. the yoke devices 71 are provided with a spindle 72 which is rotatably'mounted in a bearing member 37 fixed to the frame 10 by means of the bolts 74. The upper end of the spindle members 72 arefprovided with nuts 7 5 for holding them in position. From the construction of the parts just movement ofthe outer endsof the blades 62 will not interfere with .the yoke members 71 from holding the tion.

When it is desired to vary the angle of inclination of the blades 62 for working roads of various widths, the bearing memforwardly by loosening the bolts 7 4 and extending them through blades in proper posi- Each of 9 openings 76, which are provided in the frame 10,

From the construction of the parts just described, it will be seen that when the hearing member 73 is moved forwardly. it will cause the 'outer ends of the blades 62 to be moved outwardly, thus causing them to engage a wider surface of the road.

From the construction of the parts just described, it will also be seen that after a truck load of moving of the machine forwardly a slight distance will cause the-spreader device F to engage the pile of gravel and spread it out uniformly over the road. I

It will beseen that I have provided a very eflicient device for road making, more particularly the graveling of roads.

gravel has been dumped. the.

It will be seen that the unnecessary delay ordinarily caused by 'the turning of trucks within a narrow road or having them pass. over the pile of. gravel previously dumped is an inconvenience'avoided by the use of my machine. My machine also spreads the gravel over the road uniformly. 7 Some changes may be made in shearrangement and construction of the various parts of my device, without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents,'which may be rea sonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the class described, a frame supported on wheels, a pair of said wheels being steerable, an engine mounted on the rear end of said frame, means for operatively connecting .the engine to the drive wheels of the frame, a foldable, hinged runwayv secured at one end to the frame and adapted to have its free end rest upon the ground, a turn table device 'rotat-ably mounte ed on said frame on the opposite side of said engine, guides on said turn table adapted to register with said runway for permitting vehicles ,tojpass up said runway and onto said turn table device, means for operatively connecting-said turn table deviceg to-said en.-

ginefor rotating said turn table, (the portion of. said frame just rearwardlyof. said ;turn table device and forwardlyi of "said engine, being open, whereby. a vehicle con-1 taimng gravel may be turnedjaro'und. on

said turn table device and dumped onto the road through said open portion'of the frame and a scraper device mounted on said frame" for the spreading of the dumped gravel, all. for the purposes stated.

2. In a device of the class described, a

frame supported on wheels,-a pair of said wheels being steerable, an, engine mounted on the rear end of said frame, means ,for op eratively;connecting the engine to the drive,"

wheels of the frame, a foldable hinged run-' way secured at one end to the. frame and adapted to have its free end rest upon the ground, a turn table device rotatably mounti ved on said frame on'the opposite side of said engine, guides on said turn table adapted to register with said runway for permitting vehicles to pass up said runway-and onto said turn table device, means for operatively connecting said turn table device -to said engine for rotating said turntable,

the portion of said frame just rearwardly fof said turn table device and forwardly of said engine being open, whereby a vehicle containing gravel may be turned around on said turn table device and dumped onto the 1 road through said open portion of the frame, and a scraper device capable of having its outer ends lowered for spireadingthe adapted to register with said runway for permitting vehicles to pass up said runway and onto said turn table device, means for operatively connecting said turn table de-, vice to said engine for-rotating said turn table, the portion of saidframe just rearwardly of said turn table device and for wardly of said engine being open, whereby a vehicle containing gravel may be'turned around on said turn table device and dumped onto. theroad through said open portioh of the frame, and a scraper device comprising a pair of blades hinged together .attheir.

forward ends and capable of having their outer ends'moved forwardly of rearwardly as desired, for the purposes stated.

.4. In a device'of the class described, a turn table device for turning. a vehicle containing gravel substantially 180 for permitting it to be dumped. rearward]. of the turn table device, .and'a scraper evice mounted for spreading the' dumped for the pur oses stated.

. 5.'In a evice of the class described, a turn table device'for turning a vehicle containing" gravel substantially 180 for pergfavel over the road,

mitting it to be dumped rearwardly of the turntable device, and a scraper device mounted for spreading the dumped gravel over theig'toad and capable of being adjusted for roa s of variouswidths and-also for giving a crown effect to a .road.

.6. Ina device of the class described, a frame, an engine. on said frame, a turn table device on saidframe and operatively connected to said engine, .a runway leadingto one end of said turntable for permitting i vehicles to pass onto the turn table for dumping their contents of gravel, or the like .rearwardl-y ofsaid turn table device and forwardly of the engine and ascraper dey I vice for spreading of the gravel or the' like over the road. I

7., In a deviceof the class described, a frame, an engine on said frame, a'i'lurn table device on said frame and operatively conone end of said turn tablev for. permittng .vehicles to pass onto the turn table for .nected to said engine, a runway leading to forwardly of the engine, said runway being capable of being folded and swung over said turn-table when in inoperative position, and .a scraper device for spreading of the 5 gravel or the like over the road.

} 8. In a device of the class described, a turn table device for turning a vehicle containing gravel substantially-180 for permitting it to be dumped rearwardly of the 10 turn table device, a runway arranged to permit a vehicle to pass up-onto' said turn table, shoe members secured to thefree ends of said runway for permitting it to pass over the ground when the device is moved forwardly, and a scraper device for spreading 15 the dumped gravel over the road for the purposes stated.

esMoines, Iowa, June 6, 1921.

EDW RD A. DENNIS. 

